Chemical combustion catalyst capsule

They have been working for many years to find replacements for the tetraethyl lead that used to be used in gasoline. The purpose of the lead and its replacements is to slow down the rate of burning of the fuel in the engine and reduce pre-ignition knock. High-octane fuels, required by some engines, burn even more slowly.

These folks claim to make the fuel burn faster! If it does increase mileage, at the very least the timing is going to have to be changed. I doubt if current engine control computers are set up to compensate for such increase in combustion speed. If not, and the product works as described, then engine life is going to be shortened.

There is a difference between faster burning and pre-ignition or pinking. Petrol engines gain efficiency by using two spark plugs to reduce the burn time, and also by running close to the pre-ignition limit. Why would this catalyst not improve efficiency in a similar manner? Let's have some comment from an engine designer. Burn rate is a fundamental limitation on efficiency, and has probably been kept low for commonality/marketing reasons.

Perhaps the findings of some field trials, independent of the company that is selling the product, would be a good start.

Lead was used in the early engines for more than just an octane booster. It was part of the valve lubrication system. Dual plugs help with the combustion effieciency by providing a more uniform and larger flame front but the flame speed is a function of the air fuel mixture and how well its mixed along with the type of fuel. The leaner the mixture the hotter and faster the flame front is. Which will contribute to pre ignition. I was making a point here but my brain outran my typing and I am left pointless.